System and method for assessing a building structure

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method for assessing a building structure. The method includes receiving information indicative of captured data, the captured data comprising an image of the building structure. The method includes receiving information indicative of an analysis of the captured data. The method includes based on the analysis of the captured data, performing an assessment of the one or more examined regions. Performing the assessment includes determining one or more classifications each corresponding to a different one of the one or more examined regions, and determining one or more indicators each corresponding to a different one of the one or more classifications. The method includes determining a mapping of the one or more indicators to the one or more examined regions. The method includes providing for display the one or more indicators overlaid onto the image according to the determined mapping.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dateof provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62/244,968 entitled “SystemAnd Method For Assessing A Building Structure,” filed on Oct. 22, 2015,the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a system and a method forassessing a building structure and, more particularly, providing fordisplay one or more indicators indicative of the assessment.

BACKGROUND

The maintenance associated with a building can be a time intensiveprocess. Usually the process begins with a visual inspection of thebuilding in order to determine what may need fixing. An individual maybe tasked to perform the visual inspection by visiting the building andinspecting the interior and exterior before deciding on repairs.Depending on various factors (e.g., size of the building, location, andweather conditions) the process may take a long time to complete. Insome cases, there is no previous information that can be easily accessedto refer to when performing the visual inspection. In the event that ageographical area is affected by a natural disaster, the extensiverepair work required may be greatly delayed due to the time spentassessing the damage to each of a relatively large number of buildings.

SUMMARY

Example systems and methods for assessing a building structure areherein described. In accordance with a first example aspect, acomputer-implemented method for assessing a building structure isdisclosed. The method is executed by one or more processors programmedto perform the method. The method includes receiving, by the one or moreprocessors, information indicative of captured data, the captured datacomprising an image of the building structure. The method also includesreceiving, by the one or more processors, information indicative of ananalysis of the captured data. The analysis of the captured dataincludes an analysis of one or more examined regions of the image. Theone or more examined regions include a portion of the buildingstructure. The method also includes, based on the analysis of thecaptured data, performing, by the one or more processors, an assessmentof the one or more examined regions. Performing the assessment includes(i) determining one or more classifications each corresponding to adifferent one of the one or more examined regions, and (ii) determiningone or more indicators each corresponding to a different one of the oneor more classifications. The method also includes determining, by theone or more processors, a mapping of the one or more indicators to theone or more examined regions. The mapping corresponds to the image ofthe building structure. The method also includes providing for display,by the one or more processors, the one or more indicators overlaid ontothe image according to the determined mapping.

In accordance with a second example aspect, a system for assessing abuilding structure is disclosed. The system includes a communicationnetwork, one or more processors communicatively coupled to thecommunication network, and a non-transitory computer-readable memorycoupled to the one or more processors. The non-transitorycomputer-readable memory stores thereon instructions that, when executedby the one or more processors, cause the system to receive informationindicative of captured data. The captured data comprises an image of thebuilding structure. The instructions also cause the system to receiveinformation indicative of an analysis of the captured data. The analysisof the captured data includes an analysis of one or more examinedregions of the image, and the one or more examined regions include aportion of the building structure. The instructions also cause thesystem to perform, based on the analysis of the captured data, anassessment of the one or more examined regions, wherein performing theassessment includes (i) determining one or more classifications eachcorresponding to a different one of the one or more examined regions,and (ii) determining one or more indicators each corresponding to adifferent one of the one or more classifications. The instructions alsocause the system to determine a mapping of the one or more indicators tothe one or more examined regions. The mapping corresponds to the imageof the building structure. The instructions also cause the system toprovide for display the one or more indicators overlaid onto the imageaccording to the determined mapping.

In accordance with a third example aspect, a tangible, computer-readablemedium stores instructions that when executed by one or more processorsof a computer system cause the computer system to receive, via acommunication network, information indicative of captured data, thecaptured data comprising an image of the building structure. Theinstructions also cause the computer system to receive informationindicative of an analysis of the captured data. The analysis of thecaptured data includes an analysis of one or more examined regions ofthe image, and the one or more examined regions include a portion of thebuilding structure. The instructions also cause the computer system to,based on the analysis of the captured data, perform an assessment of theone or more examined regions, wherein performing the assessment includes(i) determining one or more classifications each corresponding to adifferent one of the one or more examined regions, and (ii) determiningone or more indicators each corresponding to a different one of the oneor more classifications. The instructions also cause the computer systemto determine a mapping of the one or more indicators to the one or moreexamined regions. The mapping corresponds to the image of the buildingstructure. The instructions also cause the computer system to providefor display the one or more indicators overlaid onto the image accordingto the determined mapping.

In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing first,second, or third example aspects, a computer-implemented method, system,or computer-readable medium may further include any one or more of thefollowing preferred forms.

In one form, the image is a current image, and determining theclassification includes determining whether one or more thresholds aresatisfied based on a comparison of the current image of the buildingstructure and a previous image of the building structure.

In another form, the one or more indicators comprise one or more of agraphical image, text, and a digital effect.

In another form, the graphical image comprises a grid.

In another form, the one or more indicators vary in one or more of colorand luminous intensity according to the analysis of the one or moreexamined regions.

In another form, the image is a current image, and the analysis of thecaptured data further comprises receiving information indicative of aprevious image of the building structure, comparing one or more segmentsof the building structure associated with the current image to one ormore segments of the building structure associated with the previousimage, and based on the comparison, determining an evaluation of the oneor more segments of the building structure associated with the currentimage.

In another form, information indicative of a user input associated witha given indicator of the one or more indicators is received, based onthe given indicator and the analysis of the captured data, informationindicative of the evaluation of the one or more segments of the buildingstructure is obtained according to the information indicative of theuser input, and an output signal comprising the information indicativeof the evaluation of the one or more segments of the building structureis provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures described below depict various aspects of the systems andmethods disclosed herein. It should be understood that each figuredepicts an embodiment of a particular aspect of the disclosed system andmethods, and that each of the figures is intended to accord with apossible embodiment thereof. Further, where possible, the followingdescription refers to the reference numerals included in the followingfigures, in which features depicted in multiple figures are designatedwith consistent reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example environment in which a buildingstructure may be assessed, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an example grid overlaid onto an image of a buildingstructure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts an example portion of an example grid overlaid onto animage of a building structure according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts another example portion of another example grid overlaidonto an image of a building structure according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an example display for assessing a building structureaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an example method for assessing a building structureaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a network and computer hardware that may beutilized in accordance with the described embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example computer system in which thedescribed embodiments may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments of the present invention, the time and costsassociated with a visual inspection of a building structure may bereduced by capturing image and/or video data of the building structure.In one example embodiment, the captured data may be captured by anindividual with a handheld camera. In another example embodiment, thecaptured data may be captured by an unmanned aerial vehicle that isretrofitted with an imaging device capable of capturing an image,recording a video (i.e., a time sequence of images), or both. In eitherexample, the captured data may be transmitted to a remote server forfurther analysis and processing.

In some embodiments, an analysis of the image(s) may be performed by theremote server. The analysis may include an analysis of one or moreexamined regions of the image(s). In one such embodiment, an image maybe compared to a previous image in order to determine any changes to thebuilding structure. The analysis may be performed by the remote serverusing image recognition software. The image recognition software may beconfigured to compare the images of the building structure in order todetermine a change in state associated with one or more segments such aswindows, doors, walls, etc. For example, a current image of the buildingstructure may show a roof of a building structure that has been damaged.The damage to the roof may be detected and/or measured by comparing aprevious image of the roof when no damage was present (e.g., uponcompletion of construction of the building structure) to the currentimage.

In one example scenario, a segment that comprises the siding of abuilding structure may have formed gaps and/or cracks that need to berepaired. The gaps and/or cracks may differ (e.g., color, intensity,and/or texture) from the undamaged areas of the siding. An analysis ofan earlier image (e.g., an image captured when the building wasrelatively new) may calculate the percentage of pixels, out of all thepixels corresponding to the entire segment, that are “outliers” thatdiffer from the average pixel value (with respect to color value,intensity value, etc.) by some threshold amount. A similar process maybe done for a current image. Thereafter, the percentages of “outlier”pixels for the earlier and current images may be compared, and used tocalculate a new percentage that reflects the difference in the twoimages. If the earlier image has 3% outlier pixels, for instance, andthe current image has 12% outlier pixels, the new percentage may be12/3×100%=400% difference. Alternatively, this may be calculated as thepercentage change in the percentage of non-outlier pixels, e.g.,(97−88)/97×100%=9.28%.

Based on the analysis, the remote server may perform an assessment ofthe one or more examined regions. The assessment may include determiningclassifications that correspond to the examined regions and alsodetermining indicators that correspond to the classifications. In oneexample, the classifications may be based on a grading scheme fordetermining the state of a building segment. In this example, theindicators may be determined according to the classifications andprovide a visual aspect with regard to the assessment.

In another example, the indicators may vary in color. For example, thecolor red may be chosen to represent a segment of the building structurethat may need immediate repair (e.g., one week or less) while the coloryellow may be chosen to represent a segment of the building structurethat may need repair in the near, but not immediate, future (e.g., threeto six months). By differentiating the indicators with different colors,an individual may be able to determine quickly what areas of thebuilding structure need to be given priority over others.

The remote server may also be configured to determine a mapping of theindicators to the examined regions. The mapping may correspond to theimage of the building structure. In one example, the remote server mayinclude one or more software modules configured to analyze the image anddetermine one or more edges associated with various segments of thebuilding structure in order to position the indicators in thecorresponding locations.

Further, the remote server may provide for display of the indicatorsoverlaid onto the image according to the determined mapping. In oneexample, the one or more indicators may comprise a graphical image,text, and a digital effect. By overlaying the one or more indicatorsonto the image, an individual may be able to determine quickly what mayneed to be repaired with the building structure.

The time associated with assessing a building structure may also bereduced by providing an individual with additional data (e.g., storedimages, technical drawings, lists of materials, etc.) pertaining to thebuilding structure. For example, the additional data may allow theindividual to make decisions about what products or services may beneeded in order to repair the building structure. In one scenario, theindividual may review a record comprising a history of what prior workhas been done to the building structure based on previous assessments.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exampleenvironment 10 in which the structure of a building 100 may be assessed.In addition to the building 100, the environment 10 includes an unmannedaerial vehicle (UAV) 102 carrying an imaging device 104. The imagingdevice 104 may be communicatively coupled with the UAV 102. The UAV 102or the imaging device 104 or both may be capable of transmitting awireless signal to a remote server (not shown in FIG. 1).

The building 100 may be a residential home. In one example embodiment, anumber of segments, such as a roof, windows, doors, and walls may needto be examined in order to determine a state associated with thesegments. By way of example, a segment may be part of a door such as awindow pane within the door. In another example, a segment may be theentire door itself or a set of two or more doors. In one scenario, oneor more of the segments of the building 100 may need to be replaced at agiven time. For instance, in the event of a natural disaster such as ahurricane, damage may occur to certain segments of the building 100,after which an assessment may need to be performed on the building 100.

In another example, the building 100 may be a commercial building. Inthis example, the commercial building may include segments similar tothose of a residential home (e.g., a roof, windows, etc.), as well assegments that are different than the residential home (e.g., a revolvingdoor). Similarly to the residential home, one or more segments of thecommercial building may need to be replaced at a given time. In otherembodiments, the building 100 may be industrial, agricultural,educational, or of any other nature.

The UAV 102 may be configured to be remotely controlled and configuredwith the capability to fly. In one instance, the UAV 102 may help toreach certain viewpoints of the building 100 that are not possible foran individual located on the ground. In one scenario, the UAV 102 may beconfigured to communicate with a remotely based server (not shown inFIG. 1). The remotely based server may be configured to receive andtransmit data to the UAV 102. For instance, the UAV 102 may transmit GPSdata, image data, and video data associated with the building 100 to theremotely based server for storage.

The use of a UAV, such as UAV 102, when capturing data of the buildingstructure may be an effective tool for capturing data from remotelocations. The captured data from the UAV may also serve to reduce thelikelihood of errors that may occur from an individual visiting a siteand maintaining a log associated with a visual inspection.

The imaging device 104 may include any number of photosensors,photodiodes, photomultipliers, or image sensor types, includingcharge-coupled-devices (CCD), complementary metal-oxide semiconductor(CMOS) sensors, or some combination therefore. In some instances, theimaging device may be a single-camera setup that is capable of capturingvideo, photo, infrared, etc. As used herein, the term “image” or“imaging” refers not only to camera images, but also to images obtainedby other types of sensors. Thus, for example, the imaging device 104 mayinclude a different type of sensor, such as a radar or LiDAR sensor.

The imaging device 104 may be used to capture one or more exterior sidesof the building 100. After the one or more sides of the building 100have been captured, the captured data may be transmitted to a remotebased server for further processing. In one example embodiment, one ormore components associated with the imaging device 104 may transmit alive view of the building 100 to an individual. In this example, thelive view could be used to control the flight of the UAV 102 from aremote location. Remotely controlling the UAV 102 would allow anindividual to situate the UAV 102 at a predetermined position (e.g.,facing south when capturing an image of the roof) in order to obtain animage that corresponds with a previous image. In another exampleembodiment, the UAV 102 may be provided with instructions that the UAV102 automatically carries out, without manual control, in order toassist with the analysis between one or more stored images. For example,the UAV 102 may be instructed to capture a front view of the building100 at a height of about 10 feet.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example image 200 of building 100 of FIG. 1. Theimage 200 comprises multiple regions, including regions 202, 204 and206. As shown in FIG. 2, other regions of the image 200 are not labeled.By way of example, regions that do not contain a portion of the building100, such as region 202, may not be examined when assessing a buildingstructure. However, regions 204 and 206 may be examined to determinewhether building 100 needs any repairs.

In one example, an analysis of the image 200 may be received by one ormore processors (e.g., of a server remote from the UAV 102 of FIG. 1),and the analysis may pertain to one or more examined regions of theimage 200, such as region 204 and region 206. Moreover, each of the oneor more examined regions may be associated with a score that wasgenerated by the analysis. The score may be based on an amount ofsimilarity between the one or more examined regions of the current imageof the building 100 and one or more corresponding regions of a previousimage of the building 100. In different implementations, a differentscore may be associated with each examined region, or a single score maybe associated with multiple examined regions.

By way of example, the analysis may be performed by software that isdesigned to analyze and compare one or more images of the building 100.The software may be stored in a persistent memory of a server, forexample, and executed by one or more processors of the server. Inaddition to the image(s), the software may receive additional data, suchas weather related information, to assist in determining structuralissues with one or more segments of the building 100. If a givenbuilding has been exposed to a season that produced an above averageamount of rain and/or ice, for example, then a segment such as a guttermay be more susceptible to damage. In this scenario, the additionalinformation could be used to examine one or more areas of the image thatmight otherwise not have been examined (e.g., areas that show thegutter).

The software may also include one or more modules that are configured toreceive data pertaining to a list of building materials associated withthe building. For instance, the list of building materials may includethe types of various building segments, such as doors, windows, seals,siding, etc. As a more specific example, one or more modules of thesoftware may take manufacturer information into consideration whendetermining if a replacement is needed for a particular segment. In onescenario, for example, the window seals located around a window may befunctioning, but need replacement according to a next scheduledassessment of the building falling outside the manufacturer'srecommendation of usage. The software module(s) may be configured toassign a certain score that is indicative of the need for replacement ofa particular segment in the near future, along with recommendations ofmaterials needed according to the list of building materials.

In one scenario, the analysis may be performed on all exterior sides ofbuilding 100, including the top side. This may be achieved by capturingthe exterior sides through the use of UAV 102 from FIG. 1. By way ofexample, all of the captured data of the exterior sides may betransferred to a cloud based storage for further review and analysis. Inone instance, the analysis may be performed on each side of the building100 in order to provide an overall assessment of the building structure.In this instance, an individual could choose to view a given side of thebuilding 100 in order to determine what part of the building 100 needsto be given priority.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example current image 300 of the building 100 ofFIG. 1, and FIG. 4 illustrates an example previous image 400 of building100 of FIG. 1. Each of the images 300 and 400 may be an entire image, ora portion of a larger image. Referring first to FIG. 3, image 300 isdivided into region 304 and region 306. Region 304 includes a portion ofa chimney 308 and a portion of a roof 310. Referring to FIG. 4, image400 is divided into region 404 and region 406. Region 404 includes aportion of a chimney 408 and a portion of a roof 410. In this example,region 304 of FIG. 3 corresponds to region 404 of FIG. 4. Likewise,region 306 of FIG. 3 corresponds to region 406 of FIG. 4. In otherwords, the chimney 408 may be the chimney 308 as the chimney 308 existedat an earlier time, and the roof 410 may be the roof 310 as the roof 310existed at that earlier time.

In one implementation, one or more software modules may be configured toanalyze corresponding regions of the image 300 and the image 400 todetect differences in various segments of a building structure. As oneexample, the one or more software modules may be configured to detect adifference in angle associated with a corner of the chimney 308 comparedto a corner of the chimney 408. Based on the difference(s) between theexamined regions 304 and 404, the one or more software modules mayprovide a grade or other score associated with the analysis that isindicative of a need for repair to the building structure. In onescenario, the difference in angle associated with the corner of thechimney 308 compared to the corner of the chimney 408 may be 30 degrees.In this scenario, a score (e.g., five out of ten) may be assigned toregion 304 in order to highlight the need for a repair to chimney 308.

In another example, the one or more software modules may be configuredto detect damage to seals of a window pane. The one more softwaremodules may be configured to apply an image processing technique (e.g.,thresholding) to the examined region in order to detect damage (e.g.,change in continuity and/or texture) to the seals. The examined regionof the current image may be compared to a corresponding region of aprevious image to determine a difference in pixels. For instance, athirty percent difference in pixels between the examined region and thecorresponding region may cause a grade of ‘B’ to be associated with theexamined region. In this instance, the seals may not need immediatereplacement but the grade will serve to inform an individual that areplacement may be needed within six to nine months.

In yet another example, the one or more software modules may beconfigured to detect damage associated with the roof of the buildingstructure. For instance, an examined region that includes shingles maybe analyzed to determine a number of shingles that are missing. In thisinstance, if more than five shingles are determined to be missing, thena grade of ‘Poor’ may be assigned to the examined region and signify aneed for immediate repair.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example display 500 for assessing the building 100of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 5, an example indicator 504 is shownoverlaid onto an examined region of the image 200 of FIG. 2. In oneimplementation, one or more software modules may determine the indicator504 based on the determined classifications of the examined regions 304and 404 of FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively (e.g., based on the score orother result of the comparison of the regions 304 and 404). Further, theone or more software modules may determine a mapping of the indicator504 in order to provide for display of the indicator 504 on the image200 as shown in FIG. 5 (i.e., such that the indicator 504 is overlaidonto the portion of the image 200 that corresponds to the regions 304and 404).

As shown, the indicator 504 may be in the form of a highlight around thecorresponding examined region. For example, the highlight of theindicator 504 may be red if the analysis determined that a repair needsto be done promptly, or yellow if the analysis determined that a repairwill be needed in the near future but does not need immediate attention.For instance, if the analysis determined that the roof is in faircondition but may need to be replaced within the near future (e.g., if amoderate score is assigned to the portion of the roof shown in thecorresponding examined region), then the indicator 504 may be yellow.Various colors may be used to distinguish the results of the analysis ofthe building structure.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example method 600 for assessing abuilding structure in accordance with at least some embodimentsdescribed herein. The method 600 may include one or more operations,functions, or actions as illustrated by blocks 602-610. Although theblocks are illustrated in a sequential order, these blocks may in someinstances be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order thanthose described therein. Also, the various blocks may be combined intofewer blocks, divided into additional blocks, and/or removed based uponthe desired implementation.

In addition, for the method 600, the flowchart shows the functionalityand operation of one possible implementation of the present embodiments.In this regard, each block may represent a module, a segment, or aportion of program code, which includes one or more instructionsexecutable by a processor for implementing specific logical functions orsteps in the process. The program code may be stored on any type ofcomputer readable medium, for example, such as a storage deviceincluding a disk or hard drive. The computer readable medium may includenon-transitory computer-readable media that stores data for shortperiods of time, such as register memory, processor cache, or RandomAccess Memory (RAM), and/or persistent long term storage, such as readonly memory (ROM), optical or magnetic disks, or compact-disc read onlymemory (CD-ROM), for example. The computer readable media may also be,or include, any other volatile or non-volatile storage systems. Thecomputer readable medium may be considered a computer readable storagemedium, a tangible storage device, or other article of manufacture, forexample.

Alternatively, each block in FIG. 6 may represent circuitry that iswired to perform the specific logical functions in the process.Illustrative methods, such as method 600, may be carried out in whole orin part by a component or components in the cloud and/or system.However, it should be understood that example methods, such as method600, may be carried out by other entities or combinations of entities(i.e., by other computing devices and/or combinations of computingdevices), without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, functions of the method 600 may be fully performed by acomputing device (or components of a computing device such as one ormore processors), or may be distributed across multiple components ofthe computing device, across multiple computing devices, and/or across aserver.

As shown by block 602, the method 600 includes receiving, by the one ormore processors, information indicative of captured data, the captureddata comprising an image of the building structure. In one example, thecaptured data may include one or more images pertaining to the exteriorsides of the building structure. In one scenario, the captured data maybe stored in a remote server and used as reference data corresponding tothe building structure. For instance, the reference data may be dividedinto a matrix library that contains image data, location, time, date,repairs performed, etc. By way of example, the captured data may serveas a reference map of the building structure.

In one example, the captured data may be obtained through the use of aUAV (e.g., UAV 102 of FIG. 1). Other examples are possible as well, suchas a radio controlled device or a device that rolls, drives, crawls,climbs, etc. As another example, an individual may use a portableimaging device (i.e., a handheld camera) to capture images of thebuilding structure. In one implementation, the image may be saved in anuncompressed format such as a raw image file in order to reduce thenumber of artifacts associated with other compressed file formats.

As shown by block 604, the method 600 also includes receiving, by theone or more processors, information indicative of an analysis of thecaptured data. The analysis of the captured data includes an analysis ofone or more examined regions of the image, wherein the one or moreexamined regions include a portion of the building structure. Theanalysis may be based on user defined variables that are specific to agiven geographic region. For instance, a particular geographic regionmay be more likely to be affected by hurricanes, and therefore oneaspect of the analysis may be tailored to determine whether shingles ofa roof are missing, blistered, etc. The analysis may place a higherpriority on particular areas of a building (e.g., window panes)according to a historical analysis of nearby buildings.

In one implementation, the image is a current image of the buildingstructure. It is understood that “current” is used herein as a relativeterm, and does not necessarily mean that the image is real-time or evenvery recent. In this implementation, the analysis may include receivinginformation indicative of a previous image of the building structure(i.e., an image earlier than the “current” image). The analysis may alsoinclude comparing one or more segments of the building structureassociated with the current image to one or more corresponding segmentsof the building structure associated with the previous image. As usedherein, two segments are “corresponding segments” if they are the samesegment at two different points in time (e.g., the time at which thecurrent image was captured and the time at which the previous image wascaptured). Based on the comparison, the analysis may determine anevaluation of the one or more segments of the building structureassociated with the current image.

By way of example, the previous image may be selected from one or morestored images of the building structure. In one scenario, the analysismay correspond to a given period of time. For instance, the analysis maydetermine the amount of change over a given period of time by comparingthe current image to the one or more stored images.

In another example, the corresponding segments that are compared to eachother may be any component of the building structure, such as one ormore window panes. In one instance, a window pane may be examined inorder to identify defects associated with temperature control and/orvapor barrier. Based on the analysis, one or more records associatedwith the window pane may be retrieved in order to provide informationabout cost and availability of materials needed for replacement.

The evaluation may be based on a percentage of difference between thecurrent image and the previous image. For example, based on a differenceof more than fifty percent between an examined region of the currentimage and a corresponding examined region of the previous image, theevaluation may indicate immediate repair is needed. In one example, animage analysis technique such as edge detection may be used on theexamined region in the two images. For instance, the edges extractedfrom the examined region may differ (e.g., changes in angle, length,continuity, etc.) by more than fifty percent from the edges extractedfrom the corresponding examined region, which may reflect structuraldamage to the building structure.

As shown by block 606, the method 600 also includes performing, based onthe analysis of the captured data and by the one or more processors, anassessment of the one or more examined regions, wherein performing theassessment includes (i) determining one or more classifications eachcorresponding to a different one of the one or more examined regions,and (ii) determining one or more indicators each corresponding to adifferent one of the one or more classifications. In one example, eachclassification may be determined according to a grading scheme thattakes into consideration the amount of time before a building segmenttypically needs to be replaced, or a recommended replacement interval.For instance, if an examined region includes a portion of a window pane,and the portion of the window pane is in a normal state, then a grade of“A” may be assigned to the region. The grade of “A” may be associatedwith a segment that does not require replacement for at least 12 monthsor more. In another instance, if a given examined region includes aportion of a window pane that is broken, then a grade of “C” may beassigned to the given examined region in order to bring attention to theindividual. The grade of “C” may be associated with something that isrecommended to be replaced within a short period of time.

In one implementation and scenario, the image referred to above is acurrent image, and determining the classification includes determiningwhether one or more thresholds are satisfied based on a comparison ofthe current image of the building structure and a previous image of thebuilding structure. In this scenario, the one or more thresholds may bedefined according to a given segment of the building structure. Forinstance, based on the expected duration of a roof of the buildingstructure, the roof may be associated with a higher threshold than asealant located around a window pane. The one or more thresholds mayallow for segments of the building structure to be classifiedaccordingly to their respective expected durations.

As shown by block 608, the method 600 also includes determining, by theone or more processors, a mapping of the one or more indicators to theone or more examined regions. The mapping corresponds to the image ofthe building structure, and may be used to provide a visual map of theexamined regions. For example, a given examined region of the buildingstructure may be associated with a given indicator. In this example, themapping would determine the position of the given indicator (e.g.,indicator 504 of FIG. 5) so that it is displayed with the given examinedregion (e.g., region 304 of FIG. 3) and not another examined region(e.g., region 306 of FIG. 3). The mapping may also be based on buildinginformation of the building structure. For instance, if technicaldrawings of a building have been made available, the informationpertaining to positions of the one or more building segments may also beused to assist with the mapping. This may be used when additionalgranularity is required to highlight a particular building segment suchas a window pane.

As shown by block 610, the method 600 also includes providing fordisplay, by the one or more processors, the one or more indicatorsoverlaid onto the image according to the determined mapping. In onescenario, an individual may view the one or more indicators overlaidonto the image on a display device, such as a laptop computer or anyother suitable electronic device. In this scenario, the individual mayscroll through the one or more images of the building structure to viewan overall assessment of the building structure. Additional informationassociated with the one or more indicators may also be provided fordisplay. For example, if a portion of the roof has an indicator thatserves to indicate that the portion of the roof needs to be replaced,then additional information such as one or more recommendations forreplacement materials may be provided for display as well.

In one scenario, the one or more indicators may include a graphicalimage, text, and/or a digital effect. By way of example, the graphicalimage may include an outline of one or more building segments for whichreplacement is recommended (e.g., an outline corresponding to the shapeof a window pane). In another example, the graphical image may comprisea grid. The one or more areas defined by the grid may be highlightedwith different colors to indicate that one or more examined regionsshould be given priority with regard to replacements. For instance, afirst area may be displayed with the color yellow, and with lessluminous intensity than a second area that is displayed with the colorred. The first area may be given less priority than the second areabased on the scores produced by the analysis, for example, and possiblybased on expected durations of the building segments associated witheach area, for example. The one or more indicators may vary in colorand/or luminous intensity according to the analysis.

While not shown in FIG. 6, the method 600 may also include receivinginformation indicative of a user input associated with a given indicatorof the one or more indicators. For example, the given indicator mayinclude a digital effect (e.g., a pop-up window) that providesadditional information when a user causes a cursor to hover over thegiven indicator. Based on the given indicator and the analysis, themethod 600 may also include obtaining information indicative of theevaluation of the one or more segments of the building structureaccording to the information indicative of the user input. In oneexample, an individual may click on a given indicator (e.g., a redhighlighting of a particular segment) in order to view the underlyinganalysis. In this example, a window may then pop up over the image anddisplay a percent change in angle associated with the segment (e.g.,chimney 308 of FIG. 3), and possibly also a list of recommended productsand/or services for repairing the segment.

The obtained information may be stored in a remote cloud based server,or elsewhere. Further, the method 600 may also include providing anoutput signal (e.g., a report, etc.) comprising the informationindicative of the evaluation of the one or more segments of the buildingstructure. The evaluation of the one or more segments may includeadditional information pertaining to the one or more segments asdescribed above with respect to recommendations for replacementmaterials. In another example, a user interface may be configured todetermine the display of the indicators based on input from anindividual. For instance, the individual may choose to display only theindicators that are associated with a classification indicatingimmediate replacement.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a network 700 andcomputer hardware that may be utilized in accordance with the describedembodiments. The network 700 may be the Internet, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), or any other network or combination of networks thatallows one or more computers, communication devices, databases, etc., tobe communicatively connected to each other. The network 700 may beconnected to a personal computer 712 and a computer terminal 714 via anEthernet 716 and a router 718, and via a landline 720. The Ethernet 716may be a subnet of a larger Internet Protocol network. Other networkedresources, such as projectors or printers (not depicted), may also besupported via the Ethernet 716 or another data network. Additionally,the network 700 may be wirelessly connected to a laptop computer 722 anda personal data assistant 724 via a wireless communication station 726and a wireless link 728. Similarly, a server 730 may be connected to thenetwork 700 using a communication link 732 and a mainframe 734 may beconnected to the network 700 using another communication link 736. Thenetwork 700 may be useful for supporting peer-to-peer network traffic.

In one implementation, an image of the building structure may bereceived via the communication link 732 at the server 730. The server730 may also be configured to receive an analysis of the image andperform an assessment of the one or more examined regions of the image.Further, the server 730 may be configured to determine a mapping of theone or more indicators to the one or more examined regions. In thisembodiment, the server 730 may also provide a signal via the network 700for displaying the one or more indicators overlaid onto the image. Thesignal may be received via wireless link 728 and displayed at the laptop722 or the personal data assistant 724. In other implementations, theoperations may be done by different devices in FIG. 7, and/or FIG. 7 mayinclude more, fewer or different devices than are shown.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example system 800 that may operate inaccordance with the described embodiments. The system 800 of FIG. 8includes a computing device in the form of a computer 810. Components ofthe computer 810 may include, and are not limited to, a processing unit820, a system memory 830, and a system bus 821 that couples varioussystem components including the system memory to the processing unit820. The system bus 821 may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and alocal bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way ofexample, and not limitation, such architectures include the IndustryStandard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus,Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA)local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus (also knownas Mezzanine bus).

The computer 810 typically includes a variety of computer readablemedia. Computer readable media can be any available media that can beaccessed by computer 810 and includes both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, and both removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computerstorage media and communication media. Computer storage media includesvolatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implementedin any method or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, FLASH memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by computer 810. Communication media typicallyembodies computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism and includes any information deliverymedia. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one ormore of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radiofrequency (RF), infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of anyof the above are also included within the scope of computer readablemedia.

The system memory 830 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 831and random access memory (RAM) 832. A basic input/output system 833(BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within computer 810, such as during start-up, istypically stored in ROM 831. RAM 832 typically contains data and/orprogram modules or routines, e.g., analyzing, calculating, indicating,etc., that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operatedon by processing unit 820. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 8illustrates operating system 834, application programs 835, otherprogram modules 836, and program data 837.

The computer 810 may also include other removable/non-removable,volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 8 illustrates a hard disk drive 841 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 851that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 852,and an optical disk drive 855 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 856 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 841 is typically connectedto the system bus 821 through a non-removable memory interface such asinterface 840, and magnetic disk drive 851 and optical disk drive 855are typically connected to the system bus 821 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 850.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 8 provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 810. In FIG. 8, for example, hard disk drive 841 is illustratedas storing operating system 844, application programs 845, other programmodules 846, and program data 847. Note that these components can eitherbe the same as or different from operating system 834, applicationprograms 835, other program modules 836, and program data 837. Operatingsystem 844, application programs 845, other program modules 846, andprogram data 847 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, ata minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands andinformation into the computer 810 through input devices such as akeyboard 862 and cursor control device 861, commonly referred to as amouse, trackball or touch pad. A screen 891 or other type of displaydevice is also connected to the system bus 821 via an interface, such asa graphics controller 890. In addition to the screen 891, computers mayalso include other peripheral output devices such as printer 896, whichmay be connected through an output peripheral interface 895.

The computer 810 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer880. The remote computer 880 may transmit and receive data from the UAV102 of FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 8 include alocal area network (LAN) 871 and a wide area network (WAN) 873, but mayalso include other networks. Such networking environments arecommonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets,and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 810 is connectedto the LAN 871 through a network interface or adapter 870. When used ina WAN networking environment, the computer 810 typically includes amodem 872 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN873, such as the Internet. The modem 872, which may be internal orexternal, may be connected to the system bus 821 via the input interface860, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, programmodules depicted relative to the computer 810, or portions thereof, maybe stored in the remote memory storage device 881. By way of example,and not limitation, FIG. 8 illustrates remote application programs 885as residing on memory device 881.

The communications connections 870, 872 allow the device to communicatewith other devices. The communications connections 870, 872 are anexample of communication media. The communication media typicallyembodies computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism and includes any information deliverymedia. A “modulated data signal” may be a signal that has one or more ofits characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encodeinformation in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Computer readable media may includeboth storage media and communication media.

The embodiments for the methods for assessing a building structure asdescribed above may be implemented in part or in their entirety usingone or more computer systems such as the computer system 800 illustratedin FIG. 8. The information indicative of an analysis of the captureddata, the one or more indicators, and the mapping of the one or moreindicators may be received by a computer such as the computer 810, forexample. The information indicative of the analysis of the captureddata, the one or more indicators, and the mapping of the one or moreindicators may be received over a communication medium such as localarea network 871 or wide area network 873, via network interface 870 oruser-input interface 860, for example. As another example, theinformation indicative of an analysis of the captured data, the one ormore indicators, and the mapping of the one or more indicators may bereceived from a remote source such as the remote computer 880 where thedata is initially stored on memory device such as the memory storagedevice 881. As another example, the information indicative of ananalysis of the captured data, the one or more indicators, and themapping of the one or more indicators may be received from a removablememory source such as the nonvolatile magnetic disk 852 or thenonvolatile optical disk 856. As another example, the informationindicative of an analysis of the captured data, the one or moreindicators, and the mapping of the one or more indicators may bereceived as a result of a human entering data through an input devicesuch as the keyboard 862. In some implementations, the computer 810itself performs the analysis.

Some or all of the analyzing or calculating involved in analyzing thecaptured data, determining the one or more indicators, and/ordetermining the mapping of the one or more indicators may be performedby a computer such as the computer 810, and more specifically may beperformed by one or more processors, such as the processing unit 820,for example. In some embodiments, some calculations may be performed bya first computer such as the computer 810 while other calculations maybe performed by one or more other computers such as the remote computer880. The analyses and/or calculations may be performed according toinstructions that are part of a program such as the application programs835, the application programs 845 and/or the remote application programs885, for example. For example, the method 600 may be performed by theprocessing unit 820 when executing instructions stored in RAM 832.

In some embodiments, analyzing the captured data, determining the one ormore indicators, and determining the mapping of the one or moreindicators may include sending data over a network such as the localarea network 871 or the wide area network 873 to another computer, suchas the remote computer 881. In other embodiments, providing for displaya mapping of the one or more indicators to the one or more examinedregions may include sending data over a video interface such as thevideo interface 890 to display information for assessing the buildingstructure on an output device such as the screen 891, for example.

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustratedand described as separate operations, one or more of the individualoperations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that theoperations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures andfunctionality presented as separate components in example configurationsmay be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly,structures and functionality presented as a single component may beimplemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Additionally, certain embodiments are described herein as includinglogic or a number of routines, subroutines, applications, orinstructions. These may constitute either software (e.g., code embodiedon a machine-readable medium) or hardware. In hardware, the routines,etc., are tangible units capable of performing certain operations andmay be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In exampleembodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone client orserver computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computersystem (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured bysoftware (e.g., an application or application portion) as a hardwaremodule that operates to perform certain operations as described herein.

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain operations. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within ageneral-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that istemporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. Itwill be appreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

Accordingly, the term “hardware module” should be understood toencompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physicallyconstructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarilyconfigured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or toperform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments inwhich hardware modules are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed),each of the hardware modules need not be configured or instantiated atany one instance in time. For example, where the hardware modulescomprise a general-purpose processor configured using software, thegeneral-purpose processor may be configured as respective differenthardware modules at different times. Software may accordingly configurea processor, for example, to constitute a particular hardware module atone instance of time and to constitute a different hardware module at adifferent instance of time.

Hardware modules can provide information to, and receive informationfrom, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the described hardwaremodules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multipleof such hardware modules exist contemporaneously, communications may beachieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuitsand buses) that connect the hardware modules. In embodiments in whichmultiple hardware modules are configured or instantiated at differenttimes, communications between such hardware modules may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware modules have access. Forexample, one hardware module may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory product to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then, at a latertime, access the memory product to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware modules may also initiate communications with input oroutput products, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation).

The various operations of example methods described herein may beperformed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implemented modulesthat operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modulesreferred to herein may, in some example embodiments, compriseprocessor-implemented modules.

Similarly, the methods or routines described herein may be at leastpartially processor-implemented. For example, at least some of theoperations of a method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented hardware modules. The performance of particularoperations may be distributed among the one or more processors, not onlyresiding within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processor or processors maybe located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment, a mobile platform, or as a server farm), while inother embodiments the processors may be distributed across a number oflocations.

The performance of particular operations may be distributed among theone or more processors, not only residing within a single machine, butdeployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, theone or more processors or processor-implemented modules may be locatedin a single geographic location (e.g., within a home environment, anoffice environment, a mobile platform, or a server farm). In otherexample embodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implementedmodules may be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” “identifying,” “predicting,” “analyzing,”and the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g., acomputing device) that manipulates or transforms data represented asphysical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within oneor more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or acombination thereof), registers, or other machine components thatreceive, store, transmit, or display information.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodimentsmay be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or moreelements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interactwith each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the description. Thisdescription, and the claims that follow, should be read to include oneor at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it isobvious that it is meant otherwise.

Still further, for the purposes of illustration only, the figures depictpreferred embodiments of a communication system and method for a mobileplatform. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from thediscussion above that alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from theprinciples described herein.

Of course, the applications and benefits of the systems, methods, andtechniques described herein are not limited to only the above examples.Many other applications and benefits are possible by using the systems,methods, and techniques described herein.

It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined inthis patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘_(——————)’ ishereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intentto limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication,beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not beinterpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in anysection of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To theextent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent isreferred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning,that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader,and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implicationor otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element isdefined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recitalof any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim elementbe interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) and/orpre-AIA 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.

The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intendedto be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditionalmeans-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for”or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).

Moreover, although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed descriptionof numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that thescope of the patent is defined by the words of the claims set forth atthe end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed asexemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment becausedescribing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if notimpossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, usingeither current technology or technology developed after the filing dateof this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.By way of example, and not limitation, the disclosure hereincontemplates at least the following aspects:

Aspect 1: A computer-implemented method for assessing a buildingstructure, the method executed by one or more processors programmed toperform the method, the method comprising: receiving, by the one or moreprocessors, information indicative of captured data, the captured datacomprising an image of the building structure; receiving, by the one ormore processors, information indicative of an analysis of the captureddata, wherein the analysis of the captured data includes an analysis ofone or more examined regions of the image, and wherein the one or moreexamined regions include a portion of the building structure; based onthe analysis of the captured data, performing, by the one or moreprocessors, an assessment of the one or more examined regions, whereinperforming the assessment includes (i) determining one or moreclassifications each corresponding to a different one of the one or moreexamined regions, and (ii) determining one or more indicators eachcorresponding to a different one of the one or more classifications;determining, by the one or more processors, a mapping of the one or moreindicators to the one or more examined regions, wherein the mappingcorresponds to the image of the building structure; and providing fordisplay, by the one or more processors, the one or more indicatorsoverlaid onto the image according to the determined mapping.

Aspect 2: The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the imageis a current image, and wherein determining the classification includesdetermining whether one or more thresholds are satisfied based on acomparison of the current image of the building structure and a previousimage of the building structure.

Aspect 3: The computer-implemented method of aspects 1-2, wherein theone or more indicators comprise one or more of a graphical image, text,and a digital effect.

Aspect 4: The computer-implemented method of aspects 1-3, wherein thegraphical image comprises a grid.

Aspect 5: The computer-implemented method of aspects 1-4, wherein theone or more indicators vary in one or more of color and luminousintensity according to the analysis of the one or more examined regions.

Aspect 6: The computer-implemented method of aspects 1-5, wherein theimage is a current image, wherein the analysis of the captured datafurther comprises: receiving information indicative of a previous imageof the building structure; comparing one or more segments of thebuilding structure associated with the current image to one or moresegments of the building structure associated with the previous image;and based on the comparison, determining an evaluation of the one ormore segments of the building structure associated with the currentimage.

Aspect 7: The computer-implemented method of aspects 1-6, furthercomprising: receiving information indicative of a user input associatedwith a given indicator of the one or more indicators; based on the givenindicator and the analysis of the captured data, obtaining informationindicative of the evaluation of the one or more segments of the buildingstructure according to the information indicative of the user input; andproviding an output signal comprising the information indicative of theevaluation of the one or more segments of the building structure.

Aspect 8: A system for assessing a building structure, the systemcomprising: a communication network; one or more processorscommunicatively coupled to the communication network; and anon-transitory computer-readable memory coupled to the one or moreprocessors and storing thereon instructions that, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the system to: receive informationindicative of captured data, the captured data comprising an image ofthe building structure; receive information indicative of an analysis ofthe captured data, wherein the analysis of the captured data includes ananalysis of one or more examined regions of the image, wherein the oneor more examined regions include a portion of the building structure;based on the analysis of the captured data, perform an assessment of theone or more examined regions, wherein performing the assessment includes(i) determining one or more classifications each corresponding to adifferent one of the one or more examined regions, and (ii) determiningone or more indicators each corresponding to a different one of the oneor more classifications; determine a mapping of the one or moreindicators to the one or more examined regions, wherein the mappingcorresponds to the image of the building structure; and provide fordisplay the one or more indicators overlaid onto the image according tothe determined mapping.

Aspect 9: The system of aspect 8, wherein the image is a current image,and wherein determining the classification includes determining whetherone or more thresholds are satisfied satisfying based on a comparison ofthe current image of the building structure to a previous image of thebuilding structure.

Aspect 10: The system of aspects 8-9, wherein the one or more indicatorscomprise one or more of a graphical image, text, and a digital effect.

Aspect 11: The system of aspects 8-10, wherein the graphical imagecomprises a grid.

Aspect 12: The system of aspects 8-11, wherein the one or moreindicators vary in one or more of color and luminous intensity accordingto the analysis of the one or more examined regions.

Aspect 13: The system of aspects 8-12, wherein the image is a currentimage, wherein the analysis of the captured data further comprises:receiving information indicative of a previous image of the buildingstructure; comparing one or more segments of the building structureassociated with the current image to one or more segments of thebuilding structure associated with the previous image; and based on thecomparison, determining an evaluation of the one or more segments of thebuilding structure associated with the current image.

Aspect 14: The system of aspects 8-13, wherein the instructions furthercomprise: receive information indicative of a user input associated witha given indicator of the one or more indicators; based on the givenindicator and the analysis of the captured data, obtain informationindicative of the evaluation of the one or more segments of the buildingstructure according to the information indicative of the user input; andprovide an output signal comprising the information indicative of theevaluation of the one or more segments of the building structure.

Aspect 15: A tangible, computer-readable medium storing instructionsthat when executed by one or more processors of a computer system, causethe computer system to receive, via a communication network, informationindicative of captured data, the captured data comprising an image ofthe building structure; receive information indicative of an analysis ofthe captured data, wherein the analysis of the captured data includes ananalysis of one or more examined regions of the image, wherein the oneor more examined regions include a portion of the building structure;based on the analysis of the captured data, perform an assessment of theone or more examined regions, wherein performing the assessment includes(i) determining one or more classifications each corresponding to adifferent one of the one or more examined regions, and (ii) determiningone or more indicators each corresponding to a different one of the oneor more classifications; determine a mapping of the one or moreindicators to the one or more examined regions, wherein the mappingcorresponds to the image of the building structure; and provide fordisplay the one or more indicators overlaid onto the image according tothe determined mapping.

Aspect 16: The computer-readable medium of aspect 15, wherein the one ormore indicators comprise one or more of a graphical image, text, and adigital effect.

Aspect 17: The computer-readable medium of aspects 15-16, wherein thegraphical image comprises a grid.

Aspect 18: The computer-readable medium of aspects 15-17, wherein theone or more indicators vary in one or more of color and luminousintensity according to the analysis of the one or more examined regions.

Aspect 19: The computer-readable medium of aspects 15-18, wherein theimage is a current image, and wherein the analysis of the captured datafurther comprises: receiving information indicative of a previous imageof the building structure; comparing one or more segments of thebuilding structure associated with the current image to one or moresegments of the building structure associated with the previous image;and based on the comparison, determining an evaluation of the one ormore segments of the building structure associated with the currentimage.

Aspect 20: The computer-readable medium of aspects 15-19, wherein theinstructions further comprise: receive information indicative of a userinput associated with a given indicator of the one or more indicators;based on the given indicator and the analysis of the captured data,obtain information indicative of the evaluation of the one or moresegments of the building structure according to the informationindicative of the user input; and provide an output signal comprisingthe information indicative of the evaluation of the one or more segmentsof the building structure.

What is claimed:
 1. A computer-implemented method for assessing abuilding structure, the method executed by one or more processorsprogrammed to perform the method, the method comprising: receiving, bythe one or more processors, information indicative of captured data, thecaptured data comprising a first image and a second image of thebuilding structure, the second image captured at an earlier point intime than the first image, and the first image and the second imagecomprising respective sets of pixels; analyzing, by the one or moreprocessors, each examined region of a plurality of examined regions ofthe first image included in the captured data, the each examined regiondepicting a respective portion of the building structure, and analyzingthe each examined region of the first image including determining, forthe each examined region of the first image, a respective percentagedifference of outlier pixels between the each examined region of thefirst image and a corresponding region of the second image, thecorresponding region of the second image depicting the respectiveportion of the building structure of the first image at the earlierpoint in time; assessing, by the one or more processors, the eachexamined region of the first image, including: (i) determining, based onthe analysis of the captured data, a respective classification of theeach examined region of the first image based on the respectivepercentage difference of outlier pixels, the respective classificationbeing a respective grade or score indicative of a respective immediacyof need of repair of the respective portion of the building structure;and (ii) determining a respective indicator corresponding to therespective classification of the each examined region; determining, bythe one or more processors, a mapping of the respective indicatorcorresponding to the each examined region of the first image to therespective portion of the building structure; and providing for display,by the one or more processors, the respective indicators of theplurality of examined regions overlaid onto the respective portions ofthe building structure depicted in the first image according to thedetermined mappings, thereby indicating relative priorities, across theplurality of examined regions, of respective replacements of respectiveone or more building segments depicted in the each examined region. 2.The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:determining a respective percentage of outlier pixels of the eachexamined region of the first image based on a difference between arespective average pixel value of the each examined region of the firstimage and a threshold amount; and determining a respective percentage ofoutlier pixels of the corresponding region of the second image based ona difference between a respective average pixel value of thecorresponding region of the second image and the threshold amount, andwherein determining the respective percentage difference of outlierpixels between the each examined region of the first image and thecorresponding region of the second image is based upon the respectivepercentage of outlier pixels of the each examined region of the firstimage and the respective percentage of outlier pixels of thecorresponding region of the second image.
 3. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, wherein the respective indicators of the plurality ofexamined regions comprise one or more of a graphical image, text, or adigital effect.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, whereinthe graphical image comprises a grid.
 5. The computer-implemented methodof claim 1, wherein the respective indicators of the plurality ofexamined regions vary in one or more of color or luminous intensityaccording to the respective classifications of the plurality of examinedregions.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the eachexamined region of the first image depicts a respective segment of thebuilding structure, and wherein analyzing the each examined region ofthe first image further comprises, for the each examined region of thefirst image: comparing the respective segment of the building structuredepicted in the each examined region of the first image to therespective segment of the building structure depicted in thecorresponding region of the second image at the earlier point in time;and based on the comparison, determining an evaluation of the respectivesegment of the building structure.
 7. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 6, further comprising: receiving information indicative of a userinput associated with a given respective indicator of the respectiveindicators of the plurality of examined regions; based on the givenrespective indicator and the analysis of plurality of examined regions,obtaining information indicative of the evaluation of the respectivesegment of the building structure according to the informationindicative of the user input; and providing an output signal comprisingthe information indicative of the evaluation of the respective segmentof the building structure.
 8. A system for assessing a buildingstructure, the system comprising: a communication network; one or moreprocessors communicatively coupled to the communication network; and anon-transitory computer-readable memory coupled to the one or moreprocessors and storing thereon instructions that, when executed by theone or more processors, cause the system to: receive informationindicative of captured data, the captured data comprising a first imageand a second image of the building structure, the second image capturedat an earlier point in time than the first image, and the first imageand the second image comprising respective sets of pixels; analyze eachexamined region of a plurality of examined regions of the first imageincluded in the captured data, the each examined region depicting arespective portion of the building structure, and the analysis of theeach examined region of the first image including a determination, forthe each examined region of the first image, of a respective percentagedifference of outlier pixels between the each examined region of thefirst image and a corresponding region of the second image, thecorresponding region of the second image depicting the respectiveportion of the building structure of the first image at the earlierpoint in time; assess the each examined region of the first image, theassessment of the each examined region including: (i) a determination,based on the analysis of the captured data, of a respectiveclassification of the each examined region of the first image based onthe respective percentage difference of outlier pixels, the respectiveclassification being a respective grade or score indicative of arespective immediacy of need of repair of the respective portion of thebuilding structure; and (ii) a determination of a respective indicatorcorresponding to the respective classification of the each examinedregion; determine a mapping of the respective indicator corresponding tothe each examined region of the first image to the respective portion ofthe building structure; and provide for display the respectiveindicators of the plurality of examined regions overlaid onto therespective portions of the building structure depicted in the firstimage according to the determined mappings, thereby indicating relativepriorities, across the plurality of examined regions, of respectivereplacements of respective one or more building segments depicted in theeach examined region.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructionsstored on the non-transitory computer-readable memory, when executed bythe one or more processors, cause the system further to: determine arespective percentage of outlier pixels of the each examined region ofthe first image based on a difference between a respective average pixelvalue of the each examined region of the first image and a thresholdamount; and determine a respective percentage of outlier pixels of thecorresponding region of the second image based on a difference between arespective average pixel value of the corresponding region of the secondimage and the threshold amount, and wherein the determination of therespective percentage difference of outlier pixels between the eachexamined region of the first image and the corresponding region of thesecond image is based upon the respective percentage of outlier pixelsof the each examined region of the first image and the respectivepercentage of outlier pixels of the corresponding region of the secondimage.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the respective indicators ofthe plurality of examined regions comprise one or more of a graphicalimage, text, or a digital effect.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereinthe graphical image comprises a grid.
 12. The system of claim 8, whereinthe respective indicators of the plurality of examined regions vary inone or more of color or luminous intensity according to the respectiveclassifications of the plurality of examined regions.
 13. The system ofclaim 8, wherein: the each examined region of the first image depicts arespective segment of the building structure; and the analysis of theeach examined region of the first image further comprises, for the eachexamined region of the first image: a comparison of the respectivesegment of the building structure depicted in the each examined regionof the first image to the respective segment of the building structuredepicted in the corresponding region of the second image; and based onthe comparison, determining an evaluation of the respective segment ofthe building structure.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein theinstructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable memory, whenexecuted by the one or more processors, cause the system further to:receive information indicative of a user input associated with a givenrespective indicator of the respective indicators of the plurality ofexamined regions; based on the given respective indicator and theanalysis of the plurality of examined regions, obtain informationindicative of the evaluation of the respective segment of the buildingstructure according to the information indicative of the user input; andprovide an output signal comprising the information indicative of theevaluation of the respective segment of the building structure.
 15. Anon-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions that whenexecuted by one or more processors of a computer system, cause thecomputer system to: receive, via a communication network, informationindicative of captured data, the captured data comprising a first imageand a second image of the building structure, the second image capturedat an earlier point in time than the first image, and the first imageand the second image comprising respective sets of pixels; analyze eachexamined region of a plurality of examined regions of the first imageincluded in the captured data, the each examined region depicting arespective portion of the building structure, and the analysis of theeach examined region of the first image including a determination, forthe each examined region of the first image, a respective percentagedifference of outlier pixels between the each examined region of thefirst image and a corresponding region of the second image, thecorresponding region of the second image depicting the respectiveportion of the building structure of the first image at the earlierpoint in time; assess the each examined region of the first image, theassessment of the each examined region including: (i) a determination,based on the analysis of the captured data, a respective classificationof the each examined region of the first image based on the respectivepercentage difference of outlier pixels, the respective classificationbeing a respective grade or score indicative of a respective immediacyof need for repair of the respective portion of the building structure;and (ii) a determination of a respective indicator corresponding to therespective classification of the each examined region; determine amapping of the respective indicator corresponding to the each examinedregion of the first image to the respective portion of the buildingstructure; and provide for display the respective indicators of theplurality of examined regions overlaid onto the respective portions ofthe building structure depicted in the first image according to thedetermined mappings, thereby indicating relative priorities, across theplurality of examined regions, of respective replacements of respectiveone or more building segments depicted in the each examined region. 16.The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein respective indicatorsof the plurality of examined regions comprise one or more of a graphicalimage, text, or a digital effect.
 17. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 16, wherein the graphical image comprises a grid.
 18. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the respective indicatorsof the plurality of examined regions vary in one or more of color orluminous intensity according to respective classifications of theplurality of examined regions.
 19. The computer-readable medium of claim15, wherein: the each examined region of the first image depicts arespective segment of the building structure; and the analysis of theeach examined region of the first image further comprises, for the eachexamined region of the first image: a comparison of the respectivesegment of the building structure depicted in the each examined regionof the first image to be respective segment of the building structuredepicted in the corresponding region of the second image; and based onthe comparison, determining an evaluation of the respective segment ofthe building structure.
 20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19,wherein the instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readablememory, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the systemfurther to: receive information indicative of a user input associatedwith a given respective indicator of the respective indicators of theplurality of examined regions; based on the given respective indicatorand the analysis of the plurality of examined regions, obtaininformation indicative of the evaluation of the respective segment ofthe building structure according to the information indicative of theuser input; and provide an output signal comprising the informationindicative of the evaluation of the respective segment of the buildingstructure.